Though the Himalayas stretch across the entire northern border of India, this region covers only those states of India that lie on the northwestern section of this mountain range.

After the chaos of the big cities of the Plains, the Indian Himalayas make a relaxing change. Some travelers make the Himalaya North their sole purpose for coming to India while others visit the region as part of a larger holiday.

Understand

Talk

Throughout this region Hindi/Urdu is understood, but usually as a second language. English is widely understood, especially in the more touristed parts.

Get in

The Himalayan North is well connected to the Plains by bus. Haridwar is the highest place that is accessible by train.

Get around

Bus: This is the main way to get around the Himalayan north, the only choice in many places. The winding roads and steep slopes make for some nerve wracking moments; but the views more than make up for it.

Train: Being a mountainous region there are very few rail lines. However, there is a "toy train" service that connects Kalka and Shimla. In its day, this single gauge line was a remarkable engineering feat, but now it makes for a slow and beautiful tourist route.